The Government yesterday published legislation to permit its controversial plan to move €635 million (£500 million) from the Social Insurance Fund to the Exchequer.

The move is to be allowed by a section of the Social Welfare Bill which is expected to be passed by the Oireachtas before the Christmas recess. The Bill, which the Dβil will begin to debate next Tuesday, is the annual piece of legislation implementing the social welfare changes announced in the Budget.

The extra section simply reads: "In the financial year 2002, an amount of €635 million shall be paid out of the Fund into the Exchequer."